Congressman Darin LaHood, born and raised in Peoria, serves the constituents of the 18th District of Illinois. Sworn into the US House of Representatives on September 17, 2015, LaHood quickly transitioned into office after winning a special-election on September 10.
The 18th district spans 19 counties across central and west-central Illinois, including the cities of Peoria, Bloomington-Normal, Springfield, Jacksonville, Quincy, and Macomb. LaHood serves close to 710,000 constituents.
Prior to his election to Congress, LaHood served four years in the Illinois State Senate, beginning in 2011. LaHood spent more than nine years as a State and Federal Prosecutor. From 2001-2006, he worked for the U.S. Department of Justice as an Assistant United States Attorney in Las Vegas, Nevada. LaHood has also served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County and Tazewell County. From 2006 up until his election to the House of Representatives, he practiced law with the Peoria firm of Miller, Hall & Triggs.
LaHood’s record throughout his public service has resonated a strong, conservative record, promoting economic development and fiscal responsibility. LaHood has been an outspoken advocate for creating a better business climate in Illinois to boost the state and national economy, to create jobs for Illinoisans.
LaHood currently serves on the House Ways and Means Committee after being selected by his colleagues in January 2018. The Ways and Means Committee is the House’s oldest committee and has jurisdiction over all taxation, trade and tariffs, and other revenue-raising measures. LaHood also serves on the U.S. Joint Economic Committee, a member of the US-Cuba working group and is co-chair of the US-China working group.
LaHood, a third generation Peorian, graduated from Spalding High School. He earned a B.A. from Loras College and holds a J.D. from The John Marshall Law School. In 2013, he was selected as an Edgar Fellow, a program run by former Governor Jim Edgar, which highlights future Illinois leaders. LaHood was recognized in Peoria as a 40 Leaders Under Forty award winner. An avid runner, he has completed five marathons. During his time as a Federal Prosecutor, LaHood served as an adjunct professor at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas teaching criminal justice.
Congressman LaHood and his wife Kristen currently reside in Dunlap and are the proud parents of three sons, McKay, Lucas, and Teddy.